UNCW continues tourney prep for Duke

2016-03-15T03:56:09Z2016-03-19T03:56:02Z

UNCW continues their prep for a first round matchup against Duke (Source:WECT)

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) -

Two days away from their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 10 years, the UNCW Seahawks held their final practice at Trask Coliseum before heading off to Providence, RI for their matchup against the Duke Blue Devils.

In head coach Kevin Keatts second year with this Seahawks, the success of this season has been an unexpected surprise in some ways.

"I didn't know what to expect when you talk about, you've got three transfers and four freshman," he said. "For us to have 25 wins at this point, it's amazing for me. I think we're a year ahead of schedule. I envisioned this run being in our third season."

The Seahawks had just nine wins two seasons ago. For senior Craig Ponder, this cap to his journey as a college athlete has been special.

"Our first three years, I would've never thought we'd be in this moment now, and to have it finally go out on my last year, to finally make that dream come true, it means the world to me."

Chris Flemmings leads the team in scoring this season. A transfer from Barton College, his mother was a Duke fan as he was growing up. These days, she's all Seahawks, and he looks forward to the challenge of playing a program who's success he has seen in person numerous times.

"They're definitely a great team, a great program," said Flemmings. "You talk about Coach K, one of the greatest coaches in history, so definitely can't underestimate them or anything that they do. They don't play a lot of guys, but at the same time they're very talented, so we've just got to focus on their tendencies and do our best to take them away."

Late Rally Lifts Cougars Past Seahawks

Colonial Athletic Association frontrunner College of Charleston dipped into its usual recipe for success – a balanced scoring attack with timely baskets – to turn back upset-minded UNCW, 88-74, in the men's basketball home finale for the Seahawks on Saturday night at Trask Coliseum.

Colonial Athletic Association frontrunner College of Charleston dipped into its usual recipe for success – a balanced scoring attack with timely baskets – to turn back upset-minded UNCW, 88-74, in the men's basketball home finale for the Seahawks on Saturday night at Trask Coliseum.

Seahawks Split Twinbill to Open Season

Juniors Lacey Fox and Hannah Adamczyk and sophomore Meghan Whitecavage each drove in two runs as UNCW opened its 2018 softball season by splitting a pair of games at the Charlotte First Pitch Classic at Daughtridge Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Juniors Lacey Fox and Hannah Adamczyk and sophomore Meghan Whitecavage each drove in two runs as UNCW opened its 2018 softball season by splitting a pair of games at the Charlotte First Pitch Classic at Daughtridge Stadium on Saturday afternoon.